Buying Gems: Test Your Identification Skills
Step 3: Practical Gemology Lesson 30 Back to syllabus In this set of gemstone identification quizzes, I’m placing you in a familiar situation.…
Step 3: Practical Gemology Lesson 30 Back to syllabus In this set of gemstone identification quizzes, I’m placing you in a familiar situation.…
The polariscope is one of gemology’s simplest and most useful tools. With a little practice and our three-part polariscope guide, you’ll…
Gemstone identification typically starts with measuring a specimen’s refractive index (RI) and specific gravity (SG). These two tests…
Although gemstone magnetism isn’t a commonly tested gemstone property, it may be useful for making quick separations outside the lab. By Richard…
We tend to take light for granted. It’s such a common thing we experience every day. Rarely do we think of the scientific definition of light…
Step 2: Advanced Gemology Lesson 2 Back to syllabus The optical properties of gems attract our eyes and can give a cut stone a unique character. However,…
Gemstone heat treatments can turn mediocre pieces into items of great beauty. Heating a gem to a specific temperature and then cooling it is a common…
Gemstone treatments can have a significant impact on the value and stability of a stone. The following enhancement processes leave behind some…
Imagine you find this blue gemstone for sale at a pawn shop. Can the inclusions you see help you narrow the range of possible identifications? Absolutely.…